Lubricant controlling valve spring retainer lock



R. E. cuMMlNGs 2,419,708

April 29, 1947.

LUBRICANT CONTROLLING VALVE SPRING RETAINER LOCK Filed Feb. 14, 1946 Rae/:wr E. CUMMINGS @y/gm.. E"

Patented Apr. 29;, 1,947

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE" LonmcAN'r rilikolmatvs srnmo Robert n. cumming, University Heights. omo,

assigner to Thompson Products, land. Ohio, a corporation of Ohio' Application February 14, 1946, Serial No. 647,635

10 Elaims. 1

This invention relates to valve spring retainer locks adapted to control ilow of lubricant along the stem of a valve on which they are mounted.

Specically, this invention deals with valve spring retainer locks composed of a pair of opposed cylindrical lock segments having overlapping side edges to block oil free passage oilubricant between the opposed segments.

The conventional valve spring retainer locks include a pair of opposed fragmental cylindrical segments partially embracing the stem oi a valve. These segments, when seated around the valve stem, have unrestricted gaps therebetween and, in valve installations where lubricant is fed to the tip end of th'e valve, the gaps afford unrestricted passages for ow of lubricant along the Y Inc., Clevetongues will project into the recesses to pro vide valve lock segments with overlapping local side edges.

valve stem. This unrestricted dow of lubricant is lspring retainer llock cannot be avoided, because the valve segments must be movable toward each other to create a wedge lock between the retainer and the valve stem.

In accordance with' this invention, lubricant ow along the valve stem is controlled as desired by valve spring retainer locks without interiering with the wedge lock emciency of such locks.

According to this invention, the side edges of a pair of cylindrical lock segments are equipped with overlapping local portions in close proximity to each other for defining a restricted passage between the segments which will eiectively block 0E free :flow of lubricant. These overlapping local portions aord tongue and groovel joints and, if desired, these joints can have sliding t relationship to either completely block o flow of oil, or to meter thin lms of oil therebetween.

In some forms of this invention, the locks are made in male and female pairs with the male lock having one or more projecting tongues slidably projecting into one or more recesses in the female lock.

In other forms of this invention each lock will be composed of identical' segments with one edge of each lock having a projecting tongue and the other edge of each lock having a recess.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a valve spring retainer lockcomposed of male and female lock segments wherein the male segment 4has tongues projecting from its side edges and wherein the female segment has recesses for receiving said tongues in overlapping relation.

si further object of the` invention is to provide a valve lock composed of identical segments each of which has a tongue projecting from one sideV 'edge and a recess in the other side edge. 25

Other and further objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following. detailed description of the annexed sheet of drawings which, by way of preferred examples only, illustrate several embodiments otth'e invention.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical section, with parts in eie vation. of a portion of an engine cylinder head, showing a poppet valve equippedwith a valve spring retainer lock according to this invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the valve lock shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical cross-sectional view taken'along the line IV-IV but illustrating another modified form of this invention.

Figure 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken When the locks are mounted on a valve stem, thealong the line IX-IX of Figure 8 and additionally showing a portion of a valve vstem embraced by the retainer lock.

As shown on the drawings:

-In Figure 1 the reference numeral I0 designates a portion of an internal combustion engine having a port II with a valve seat insert I2 around the mouth thereof providing a seat I3. A poppet valve I4 has a head |5 for opening and clomng said port. The head I5 has a seating face I5a adapted to engage the valve seat I3. The valve I4 has a cylindrical stem I6 extendingirom the head I 5 and slidably mounted in a valve stem guide |1 carried by the engine part I0. A well I8 is provided in the engine partl I9 above the part II and the valve stem I6 extends through this well. I

A spring assembly comprising an Aouter coil spring I9 bottomed on the bottom of the well I8 and an inner coil spring 20 bottomed on a ange Ila of the guide Il is mounted in the well I8.

A spring retainer 2| surrounds the tip end of the valve stem I6 and has an outturned ange 2 I a acted on by the upper end coils of both springs I9 and 20. A skirt or collar portion 2lb of the retainer 2| depends from the ange 2|a into than the tongues 33 so as not to interfere with the inner coil spring and deines a tapered bore 22 surrounding the valve stem I6 in spaced relation, The bore converges toward the head I6 of the valve. A

'I'he valve stem I6 has a peripheral groove 23 adjacent its tip end. This groove 23 has a at bottom wall and spaced opposed radially extending shoulders.

A rocker arm 24 acts on the tip end of the valve to open the valve against pressure of the springs |9 and 20 and to permit the valve to close. A lubricant-conveying passageway 25 is formed -through the rocker arm and discharges at the tip end of the valve.

In accordance with this invention, a valve spring retainer lock 26 is provided between the retainer 2| and the stem I6 of the valve to lock the retainer on the valve stem. This lock 26, as

best shown in Figures 2 and 3, is composed of tragmental cylindrical lock segments including a male segment 21 and a female segment 28. The segments have cylindrical inner walls 29 to partially embrace the cylindrical valve stem I6. A rib or bead 3|! projects radially inward from an intermediateportion of the inner wall 29 oi each segment. This bead 30 is adapted to fit into the groove 23 of the valve stem, but is preferably of less depth than the stem groove. so that its inner face will be spaced radially outward from the bottom of the valve groove. The bead provides oppod shoulders 39a for engaging the shoulders or side walls of the groove 23.

Each valve segment 21 and 28 has a tapered outer wall 3| to snugly t the tapered bore 22 ot the retainer 2|.

The male segment 21 has axially extending side edges 22 continuing from the top or thick end of the segment to the top edges 33a of circumferentially extending tongues or tabs 33 at the bottom of the segment. i These tongues 33 extend beyond the side walls or edge 32 to edges 33h parallel with the edges 32 but circumferentially offset therefrom.

The female segment 26 has side edges 34 which extend longitudinally of the segment to the top edges 25a of recesses or grooves 35 formed in the segment adjacent the lower end thereof.

When the lock 26 embraces the valve stem I 6,

the wedge function of the lock between the retainer and valve stem. In other words, deep recesses permit the gaps between the lock segments to become narrower.

As shown in Figure 4, a metering passage 31 of controlled ow capacity is provided between the edges 33a and 35a. This passage 31 will meter lubricant from the gap 36 to the gap 36 between the extremity of the tongue 33 and the back wall of the recess 35. If desired, the edges 33a and 36a can be in engagement to entirely stop the ow of lubricant along the valve stem between the lock segments.

The valve lock 40 in the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 5 and 6 includes identical fragmental cylindrical segments 4 I and 42 with cylindrical inner walls 43 having inwardly 80/projecting beads 44 intermediate their ends, and

with tapered outer walls 45. One edge 46 of each segment has a peripherally extending tongue portion 41 intermediate the top and bottom of the segments. The other edge 48 of each segmenti has a circumferentially extending recess 49 intermediate the top and bottom of the segments. The tongues 41 have top and bottom walls 41a extending in parallel planes normal to the axis of the segments. The recesses 49 have top and bottom walls 49a parallel with said walls 41a and arranged to overlap the walls 41a without interfering with movement of the segments toward and away from each other.

The tongues 41 have side edges 41h parallel with the edges V46a of the segments but peripherally oiset from said edges 46. The recesses 49 have inner or back walls 49h parallel with the walls 48 of the segments but circumferentially oiset from these walls. When the segments 4I and 42 are disposed around a valve stem, the side edges or walls 46 and 48 are in spaced opposed relation to define gaps 50 at the top and bottom oi' the lock. The side walls or edges 41h and 49h are also in spaced opposed relation to denne gaps 5|, therebetween. Oil can ilow freely through the gaps 50 and 5I. However, in order for oil to ow between the gaps 50 and 5I, it must pass between the closely disposed edges 41a and 49a through metering passages 52 shown in Figure 7. 'I'hese metering passages 52 can be of any desired capacity to restrict ilow of oil and thereby control lubrication of the valve stem I6 from the passageway 25 of the rocker arm 24. Thus, in order for oil to travel down the valve stem I6, it is necessary that this oil pass through two metering passageways 52. If desired, of course, flow oi' oil can be entirely' eliminated by having the edges 41a and 49a in intimate contact to close one or both of the passages 52. A

The recesses 49 are deeper than the projecting lengths of the tongues 41 so that, as explained above, the valve segments can move toward and away from each other without interference.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the edges 32 and 34 of the segments 21 and 26 75 Figures 8 and 9, the valve lock 60 is composed of male and female segments 6I and 62 similar to the segments of the valve lock 26 disclosed in Figures 1 to 3. However, the lock 60 is 'arranged for use with a valve stem Ilia having a round groove I6b adjacent the tip end of the stem. The segments 6I and 62 have cylindrical inner walls 63 with a rounded bead 64 projecting inwardly at the top end of the segments for seating in the valve groove I6b. The outer walls 65 of the segments are tapered to fit the bore 22 of theretainer 2|. The side edges 66 of the male segment extend from the top end of Vthe segment to a level adjacent the bottom of the bead 64. At this level eircumferentially extending tongues 61 project forwardly from the edges 66. 'I'hese tongues continue to the bottom of the segment. Each tongue 61 thus has a top wall 61a extending forwardly from the edge 66 in a plane normal to the axis of the segment.

The lapping relationshipof the walls 61a and- 69a provides metering passages connecting the ripherally grooved stem and a valve'sprlng retainer having a tapered bore loosely embracing the valve stem, opposed locking segments embracing a portion of the valve stem seated in the a peripherally grooved stem, a valve retainer havgaps 10 between the side walls 66 and 68 with the gaps 1l between the tongues 61 and back walls 69h of the recesses. Flow of oil along the valve stem Ilia is thereby metered or stopped, as desired.

The beads 30, M, and 64 of theabove-described locks 26, 40, and 60 .seat in grooves 23 or I6Vb in the valve stems I6 or l6a to engage groove shoulders or curved groove portions, and are effective to hold the lock segments against relative axial shifting that might cause variation of the metering capacity of the gaps between the lapped portions of the segments.

From the above descriptions it will be understood that this invention provides valve spring retainer locks with lapping edge portions adapted to meter lubricant flow between the lock segments, and thereby control lubricant flow on a valve stem embraced by the segments.

It will, of course, be understood that variousV details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention and it is, therefore, not the purpose to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claims. y

I claim as my invention:

1. In a valve assembly including a poppet valve with a cylindrical stem having a peripheral groove near the tip end thereof, a valve Spring retainer having a, tapered bore loosely embracing the tip end of the valve stem and diverging toward the tip end of the stem to extend beyond said tip end, and means for feeding lubricant to the tip end of the stem, the improvement of a pair of opposed cylindrical internally beaded lock segments in the bore of the retainer embracing a portion of the valve stem and having the bead `portions extending into the stem groove, and said segments having spaced opposed side edges with localized overlapping portions in close proximity adapted to block free ow of lubricant along the valve stem.

2. In combination with a valve having a peing a tapered bore loosely embracing said stem, and means for feeding lubricant into said retainer, the improvement of opposed cylindrical locking segments wedged in the-tapered bore of the retainer and partially embracing the valve stem, said segments having beads seated in said groove of said stem, said segments having spaced opposed side edges with lubricant-conveying gaps therebetween, and complementary lapping wall portions on said side edges for metering ow of lubricant along the valve stemthrough said gaps.

4. A valve spring retainer lock adapted to meter controlled amounts of lubricant along a valve stem which comprises a Pair of opposed lock segments having spaced opposed side edges with lapping local portions in close proximity deflning a restricted lubricant passage' adapted to block off free flow of lubricant.

5. A valve lock comprising complementary male and female fragmental cylindrical segments, said male segment having peripherally extending tongues beyond the side edges thereof, said female segment having tongue-receiving recesses extending inwardly from the sides thereof, and said tongues and recesses having opposed walls in close proximity defining therebetween metering lubricant-conveyingr passages.

6. A valve lock comprising complementary male and female cylindrical segments, said male -segment having side edges with localized tongues ,projectingv peripherally therefrom and having ceiving said tongues, said inwardly extendlngrecesses having top walls parallel with the top walls of the tongues and lying in close proximity thereto for blocking off free flowof iluld between the segments.

'1. A valve lock comprising complementary male and female fragmental cylindrical segments having cylindrical inner walls with inwardly projecting beads intermediate their ends and tapered outer walls converging toward one end, said male segment having side edges extending from one end of the segment to a peripherally extending wall spaced from the other end of the segment and lying in a plane normal to the axis of the segment, said female segment having side edges opposing the edges of the male segment in spaced parallel relation and a recess for receiving the peripherally extending wall of the male segment, and said recess and peripherally extending wall of the male segment lying in close proximity to meter iluid ow through the gaps between the side edges of the` segments.

8. A valve lock comprising a pair of identical fragmental cylindrical segments having opposed 7 reoelsesreceivingsaid lid opposed nuportions in close proximity to sais tongues tor deiining restricted iiow.

9.. A valve lock comprising a pair of identical 0l one segment extending into -thereeesses of theV other segment to provide opposed lapping tonguesandhnving-V vail portions denning a restricted passage be- 10 tween the segments irrespective of the size of the gaps between the segments. i

10. A valve spring retainer lock comprising pair ot opposed fragmental cylindrical segments hlving internal beads at one end thereof, one oi.' said segments having side edges with peripherally extending tongue portions, the other of said seg- 8 ments having side edges with vtongue-receiving reoesses,andthetongues ofonesegmentlawing the recesses of the othersegmentto denne restricted flow passages between the segments.

' ROBERT E.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STA-nis mmm Number Name Date 1,251,003 ll'ornaca Dec. 25, 1917 1,950,222 Buckley Mar. 6, 1934 2,112,832 Douglas et al Apr. 5, 1938 2,123,681 Willgoos July 12; 1938 2,397,502 Ralston Apr. 2. 1948 

